Look up “Kilimanjaro Facts” and you will find that one view seems to pop up often… that Mount Kilimanjaro is one of the most majestic sights to behold in nature. Even better than beholding it is experiencing the beauty, grit, and intensity of climbing this awe-inspiring mountain. Whether you are at the base or the summit, there is much to discover.

From the rich culture of the Chagga people, to the wide-ranging biodiversity and many exciting routes that one can take to reach the top, Kilimanjaro’s possibilities for adventure are endless.

8 Facts You Might Not Know About Kilimanjaro:

1. It’s the World’s Tallest Freestanding Mountain

Mount Kilimanjaro is the tallest mountain in Africa and the highest free-standing mountain worldwide. Located in Tanzania, it towers at a whopping 19,341 feet. Kilimanjaro is not your typical mountain for more reasons than its impressive height. It is actually a stratovolcano that began developing about 1 million years ago.

2. It Features Three Volcanic Cones

There are three volcanic cones atop Mount Kilimanjaro. Kibo/Uhuru is its summit. The other two are Mawenzi (standing at 16,893 feet) and Shira (at 13,000 feet). These have reached extinction and are unlikely to erupt again. Kibo, however, is dormant, which makes eruption a possibility. Its last major eruption was 150,000 to 200,000 years ago.

3. It was First Scaled in the 19th Century

In 1889, the first successful ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro was accomplished by Hans Meyer (a German geologist), an Austrian named Ludwig Purtscheller, and Yoanas Kinyala Lauwo of Marangu. This team was also the first to discover interesting Kilimanjaro facts; like that the Kibo volcanic cone has a crater and was filled with ice at the time.

The Marangu Route, which begins on the southeastern side. This is the only route that offers shelter. It features a rapid profile and steep slopes.

5. Several Ecosystems Coexist There

Nearly every type of ecosystem can be found on Mount Kilimanjaro. Cultivated land like farms, pastures, and plantations exist at the base. A rainforest jungle also spans part of the base. Traveling higher, this forest turns into heather and moorland, followed by alpine desert. At the top lies an arctic summit.

6. People Live on Mount Kilimanjaro

The Chagga people (Wachagga) reside at Kilimanjaro’s base. The third largest ethnic group in Tanzania, they have a storied connection to the mountain. Each family owns a home garden or a small farm where they cultivate crops like bananas, coffee, and sugarcane.

7. Animals Live There Too

Since it does not have a bamboo zone, Kilimanjaro cannot support many forms of wildlife. Nevertheless, several species of animal flourish here, including colobus monkeys, mongooses, honey badgers, bushbuck, and white-necked ravens.

8. You Need a Climbing Guide

One of the lesser-known Kilimanjaro facts is that you can’t climb this mountain alone. It is a requirement that climbers are accompanied by licensed guides and porters. This supports the economy of the locals and allows them to benefit from tourism.

Tusker Trail founder Eddie Frank has been shooting adventure for over four decades, taking more than 30,000 photos and countless hours of video. Find out how to get the perfect shot with his insider tips.